A comprehensive framework for optimal energy management in renewable-integrated multi-energy carrier systems: Utilizing X2Y technologies and storage devices

Abstract

The pressing environmental challenges of greenhouse gas emissions and global warming demand innovative approaches to energy management. In response to this need, this research presents a comprehensive framework that integrates X2Y technologies and energy storage systems (ESSs) into renewable-integrated multi-energy systems. The proposed energy hub (EH) is designed to optimize both economic and environmental performance by minimizing operational costs and pollutant emissions. The EH model integrates multiple components, including photovoltaic (PV) systems, wind turbines (WTs), combined heat and power (CHP) units, and storage devices for electricity, heat, gas, water, and ice. Additionally, energy conversion technologies such as power-to-gas (P2G), electric chillers (EC), absorption chillers (AC), and electric heat pumps (EHP) enhance the system's flexibility to meet diverse energy demands. A dual-objective optimization approach is employed, focusing on minimizing operational costs and reducing emissions to balance economic and environmental priorities. This optimization strategy ensures efficient utilization of renewable energy sources (RESs) and mitigates grid instability caused by variable energy generation. The proposed methodology significantly reduces renewable energy curtailment, enhances system resilience, and contributes to climate change mitigation efforts. The framework's effectiveness was evaluated using the standard IEEE 69-bus network as a test case. The results of this evaluation demonstrate substantial improvements: about 40 % increase in social welfare, a 34.02 % reduction in emissions, and a 20.4 % reduction in the curtailment (unused or wasted) of renewable energy generation. The incorporation of power-to-gas technology, a key example of an X2Y technology, led to a significant decrease in natural gas consumption, reducing it to 2148 kcf. These findings collectively highlight the significant potential of the proposed framework to effectively address both economic and environmental challenges within contemporary energy systems.